Four-metre tiger shark scatters surfers at Coast break

A FOUR-metre tiger shark has sent surfers scrambling near Mudjimba's Old Woman Island.

The report logged on Dorsal-Queensland Shark Reports on Thursday morning recorded what sounded like a close encounter at 8am Wednesday.

The sighting from the water was of a "very large tiger shark" which came through the line-up and breached, breaking the water's surface "where a surfer was sitting as he took off on a wave".

The report said four surfers in the water scrambled up the rocks onto the island as the shark continued to cruise the area for an hour.

In October last year Sunshine Coast resident and experienced diver/shark researcher and marine expert Tony Isaacson said the loss of a 4.7m tiger shark that had made Old Woman Island its home for the past 30-40 years could see a more unpredictable predator move into the territory.

The massive predator died in 2013 and since then green turtle numbers had reportedly increased around the island, which Mr Isaacson said would not be sustained by the marine vegetation available.

He said the apex predator would be replaced by a "wild" shark in the area.

If the sighting reported was an indication of a pass being made at surfers, perhaps Mr Isaacson's predictions are starting to come true.

With the surf up on the Coast at the moment, it's a timely reminder for local surfers to keep their eyes peeled.

The Daily has approached Dorsal for more information about the reported sighting. If you were one of the surfers out there yesterday email scott.sawyer@scnews.com.au